Home › Chapters › WCE Chapters ›

Chicago, IL

Contact

Location Chicago, Illinois
Coordinator Jack O'Donnell
Email JODonnell@WorldComputerExchange.org
Drop-Off 9717 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60643

Status

Accepting Drop-offs  eMail the above address prior to dropping-off computers.  We also have a way for you to drop-off computers on specific dates at   the WCE Chicago Chapter' storage at 1805 West 95th Street.  This is directly across from the 95th Street Beverly LIne Metra Station. 

We can often arrange pick-ups for amounts that are more than 8 sets.

We have not yet set the next testing date - so if you are interested in volunteering please drop Jack an e-mail at the address above.

News

WCE is planning to fill a second container from WCE Chicago in mid-October. In preparation for this, a computer testing day is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 9 AM to 4 PM at the WCE Chicago Chapter' storage at 1805 West 95th Street.  This is directly across from the 95th Street Beverly LIne Metra Station. 

In early May 2008, 20 volunteers from the Chicago area filled a 40-foot container with 400 computer sets to go to connect 20 schools of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria.  The WCE Chicago volunteers gathered and tested computers for this shipment.  We also sourced some of the needed computers from recycler PCRR of Chicago.

One of the WCE Chicago volunteers, Joe Kennedy, was part of the the WCE eCorps team of 11 tech professionals who visited Nigeria in August 2008 to help train and network schools in Kaduna.  You can see a story about this on our home page.

Listen to story about WCE on WBBM Radio

A Volunteer's Perspective:

Recently my company participated in a donation drive of used computers in partnership with an organization I am affiliated with, World Computer Exchange.  This is a global organization that provides in-kind gifts and computer donations to the world's underprivileged youth.  Recently Walgreens partnered to donate computers to the children of Senegal.  I am so pleased and wanted to make you aware of how this gift of technology can affect change.  Please see information on this life-changing organization:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlXc6rFufe4

 World Computer Exchange www.WorldComputerExchange.org
"World Computer Exchange is dedicated to helping the world's youth bridge the disturbing global divide in information, communications technology, and trust. We do this by keeping your company's surplus computers out of landfills, giving them new life connecting youth in the world's poorest countries to the Internet..." 

Working through strong organizations in each country together with the local community, provides consulting to nonprofit and government partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America to develop sustainable plans and resources for computer networking, installation, training, provision of materials, and training needed.
[Shortened] List of Responsibilities of WCE partners:

1. Help recruit schools that serve the poor 2. Deliver the computers to the participating schools and centers 3. Ensure schools/centers using computers for poor youth at least six hours of each day 4. Provide community access to the computers (for a fee) outside of the minimum of six free youth hours 5. Help arrange for the maintenance and security of the computers in the schools and centers 6. Help to arrange for the provision and payment of local Internet access and phone service costs 7. Arrange for local press coverage for donating and volunteering companies 8. Help local schools arrange for logistics and homes for WCE student "Internet Ambassadors" 9. Secure on-line reports to WCE by youth of accomplishments, press, partners, and computer inventory twice a year 10. Evaluate the progress at each site annually for three years "

 

 

Volunteering

We need volunteers from Chicago to help to accomplish the following five tasks:

  • Raise Sponsorship funds to help WCE Partners with the last 1/3 of the sourcing and shipping costs (this includes Rotary Clubs)
  • Coordinate marketing for public computer donation events, eCorps recruitment, volunteer recruitment, speakers bureau, and press releases for shipments
  • Pick-up, inventory, test and pack donated used computers
  • Recruit eCorps tech volunteers from local universities and community and organize Speakers Bureau and work with local universities and high schools on community service, pairings, interns
  • Recruit, organize and nurture volunteers to help with Chapter & field work including for eWaste, eCorps, and capacity building

 Honor Roll of Donors